Ref. : F33013
Provence and the Cote d Azur
(France)
9 persons - 5 rooms - 300 sqm
Rates: on demand
Un Mas en Provence is a country cottage with a swimming pool in Provence. This traditional Provencal property promises idyllic French living at its finest. It is located in the Alpilles region where sunshine and scenic surroundings are plentiful. Wind down and enjoy Provence at this picture-perfect property. 
Traditional honey-coloured stone homes with shuttered windows are the hallmark of the Provence region in south-west France. But their picturesque appearance isn’t just for show; they are designed to accommodate the local climate. This type of typical Provencal house, with its inimitable blend of elegance and easy living, is called a mas.
The Mediterranean climate brings hot and dry summers, but also a strong wind called the Mistral. That’s why the houses here are appointed due south, away from the wind. It is also why they are built lengthways rather than upwards and have narrow openings – it’s all to keep out the searing summer heat.
As a result, you will enjoy the best of both worlds; bask in the sun outdoors as you dip in and out of the pool, or head inside to cool off.
The ground floor is made up of spacious and airy living areas. There is a large living room with an ornate fireplace, a separate dining room and a fully fitted kitchen. The décor is timeless French country chic throughout. Stone, lime, terracotta and warm shades of wood native to the region set the tone for simple sophistication and comfort.
There are also two bedrooms on the ground floor, a single and a double, each with an en-suite bathroom. There are three more en-suite double bedrooms upstairs which are air-conditioned for additional comfort.
Shaded outdoor features such as pergolas, arbors and fountains or ponds are also typical of French cottages to provide respite from the heat. This property has 150 m² of beautiful wisteria-draped terraces, perfect for leisurely lunches and siestas. The swimming pool is like having your own personal oasis and ensures you’ll have everything you need to while away the hours relaxing, cooling down and keeping everybody entertained. The pool is not heated (the sun does that quite nicely!) and is naturally treated with salt. The one-hectare garden is a haven of peace that could be taken straight from the pages of a book, and the luxuriant greenery and tiled roof cut a pretty picture against the bright blue Mediterranean sky. Stroll among the 6,000 box trees, cypresses and palm trees fragranced by rosemary, lavender and other local essences. The terrace and the pool can be lit up in the evenings to create a pretty setting for lingering around a table with family or friends, lulled by the song of the cicadas.
While this delightful country getaway is a beautiful place to spend your days, the surrounding region is also a great place to visit.
There are lots of waymarked trails nearby that lead into the Alpilles Natural Regional Park. The local property manager can help you plan your walks or you can visit the website www.cheminsdesparcs.fr. Some of the most beautiful Alpilles villages are on your doorstep, offering the best of Provencal food, wine, art and culture.
This villa can comfortably accommodate one to two families with children or four couples.
Important: this villa is not recommended for very young children as the swimming pool is deep and there are ponds in the garden.
Indoors:
Ground floor
- Entrance hall
- Large living room with fireplace and television
- Dining room
- Kitchen
- Laundry room
- Separate toilet
- Bedroom 1: double bed and en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet
- Bedroom 2: single bed and en-suite bathroom with bath and toilet
Fisrt floor
- Bedroom 3: double bed, en-suite bathroom with bath, shower and toilet
- Bedroom 4: double bed, library, en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet
- Bedroom 5: double bed, balcony, en-suite bathroom with bathtub and toilet
The upstairs bedrooms are air conditioned. All bedrooms have an outdoor area except for bedroom 5.
Oudoors:
- Garden (one hectare)
- 150 m² terrace
- 12 x 6 m swimming pool, treated with salt
- Dining area, plancha
Twice-weekly housekeeping is included. A manager lives on site and will be happy to help you organise your stay.
Visit the picturesque villages of Les Baux-de-Provence, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Mouriès, Maussane-les-Alpilles, Eygalières, Le Paradou, Fontvieille and Tarascon, with their narrow streets, fountains, shaded village squares and shutter-fronted houses for an ultimate taste of Provence. Stroll through the streets, browse the art galleries, stop for lunch or a drink at a pavement café and don’t miss the fabulously fragranced markets packed with delicious local products. This is a big olive-growing region, so the local sun-drenched olives, olive oil and tapenades are a must. Each village offers a breathtaking panorama of the Alpilles Regional Nature Park and the coniferous forests and olive groves below. From the top of Mont des Opies, you can see right out to the Mediterranean Sea. Hiking, climbing and visiting the local villages are a great way to discover the Alpilles region.
Provence has a long and eventful history, evidence of which can be seen today; visit Roussan castle in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the castle in Les Baux-de-Provence, the Glanum site in Saint-Rémy, the Calès caves in Lamanon, and plenty of local mills.
This rental villa in Provence lies between Arles and Avignon, two Roman cities with UNESCO world heritage sites; the Roman monuments in Arles and the Palais des Papes in Avignon.
The landscapes of Provence have inspired a whole host of painters and the region counts many museums in their honour. Vincent Van Gogh spent a year in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence at the asylum in the Saint-Paul de Mausole cloister. The Van Gogh route is a short walk of about an hour which takes in the landscapes that inspired him and ends at the Estrine museum which is partly dedicated to him. He particularly loved the cypress trees here and many other painters flocked to the region after him.
The Camargue and Luberon Natural parks. To mix things up, explore the Camargue to the west and the Luberon to the east. The Luberon is greener, with forests, hills and cultivated plains. The Camargue is the land of marshes, fields and rice fields on the Mediterranean coast. A mix of natural terroirs within reach of your holiday rental in Provence.
- A6 motorway from Paris, A7 motorway from Marseille
- Avignon TGV station 25 km
- Nimes TGV station 45 km
- Marseille-Provence Airport 80 km
Location, for information purposes only
